Hot, barren and treeless estates fill Perth’s fringe as planning laws allow all trees to be bulldozed

Key points

• Land developers are clearing greenery from new Perth estates, leaving up to 98 per cent of some suburbs without trees. The WA Tree Canopy Advocates says this creates heat islands and forces residents to use more air-conditioning.
• Chair Sarah Allchurch wants planning rules changed so mature trees must be retained during subdivisions. The State Government points to new residential codes and a 30 per cent canopy target.
• Developers say trees must be balanced against housing affordability and other requirements.